Have I mentioned how much I love summer?? I haven't felt this relaxed and content in a long time. The girls love to splash and play in the pool for hours. I am more than happy to sit on the deck while they "swim" and do my homework - or read. I've finished four books already! I am feeling very blessed these days.

Summer

Ali and I had a little "Mommy Time" last week and we talked about all of the reasons why we love summer. This is the list we came up with: {You can probably guess who listed what!}

*Starbucks "Dates"

*playing at the park
*playing outside
*taking lots of walks
*flip flops and bare feet



*getting out the swimming pool

*Iced coffee
*lazy mornings
*reading books and magazines on the back deck

*the summer tv shows... We love Wipe Out and I Survived a Japanese Game Show!

Happy 4th of July!

We went over to my mom's for our annual July 4th festivities. We walked down to the park to check out all that was going on... there was a lot! Bouncy houses, bouncy slides, a petting zoo, Radio Disney... The girls all got goodie bags, American flags, and tattoos. {Temporary, of course!}
We went back to Mom's for BBQ'd burgers and hot dogs and our own fireworks show. Natalie, Ali, and Lauren took turns lighting fireworks and then running away. If it wasn't their turn, they sat back, watched, and screamed, "Run!" after the firework was going. Then they would clap and laugh and compliment each other's fireworks. "Good one, Ali!" It was pretty hilarious.
Later, after it was dark we all snuggled in for the "official" Happy Valley fireworks display. Like usual, we couldn't figure out if the show had started yet, {there are so many amazing fireworks going off around us} and when it was the finale. One of these years we'll have it all figured out!

In case you're wondering: I left my camera at my mom's. {What was I thinking!?} Photos will be added as soon as I get it back.

Ali's Recital

Alison had her dance recital tonight. She did a great job! We were so proud of her. She was so excited to be on the stage! She knew all of the moves and looked like she was having so much fun. {It's too bad that it wasn't a little longer!} Her cousin Natalie was in the class with her, and the two of them were too cute.

The other day Ali and I were talking about if she wanted to continue taking dance classes through the summer or if she wanted a break. She told me she wanted to keep going because she loves to dance. I can't remember her exact words, but it was something along the lines of, "Dancing is what I'm meant to do."

Boston, Baby!

I had the chance to go back to Boston for a friend's 40th birthday. {Happy Birthday, Kelly!} It was amazing! The weather was absolutely beautiful. I was a little nervous because it had been in the 100's the week before! We spent two days in downtown Boston walking and walking and walking... I'm still not sure I saw everything! I was so impressed with all of the buildings and architecture. And to know it's been there for hundreds of years! It was unbelievable.

{ We didn't know this guy... but he really wanted to be in the picture with Angie!}

We stopped in Harvard on our way out to the airport & I know it wasn't enough time! Ang and I practically ran through the bookstore and we only got through a couple of floors! I definitely could've spent the entire day there.

It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. Even though I missed the girls a ton, I'm so glad I went. We laughed until we cried, caught up with great friends, relaxed {when we weren't hiking all over!}, and I truly enjoyed myself.

Garage Sale Weekend

Instead of going into school last Friday, I worked with my sister at our garage sale. It was a beautiful weekend!! What a fantastic way to kick off the summer. We even got a little sunburned! With the weather we've been having, it didn't even occur to me that a sunburn might be a possibility! {Saturday and Sunday we remembered to lather up in sunscreen.} The girls had a ball going around all of the sale items choosing what they would like to have if it was still there on Sunday. {Then Casey and I would pray that all of those particular items would sell immediately!!} I now have some spending money for my trip to Boston, the start of a tan, and a cleaner garage!

School's Out!!

Thank goodness! There were a few days in the last couple of months that I wasn't sure I was going to make it! Due to a huge construction & remodel project going on at school this summer, all of the teachers had to be completely out of their classrooms by the last day. Everything had to be packed away... everything had to come off the walls, bookshelves needed to be cleaned off and packed up in storage boxes. And, report cards and huge amounts of paperwork needed to be done by that Friday also. And one more thing, we aren't allowed back in the school all summer. There's nothing like a little motivation! I was able to get everything done and I didn't have to go in on Friday at all. Thank God for small miracles!